New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice earned American League Player of the Week honors after an outstanding finish to May.Rice was one of baseball’s hottest hitters from May 25-31, batting .462 (12-for-26) while driving in 11 runs and posting a 1.418 OPS. His week included four doubles, two triples, a home run, and eight runs scored as the Yankees went 6-1 on a road trip against the Kansas City Royals and Athletics.The 27-year-old capped his award-winning week with a four-RBI performance against the Athletics, delivering both a two-run double and a two-run triple in the same inning.Rice has continued his breakout campaign from a year ago and has emerged as one of the American League’s most productive hitters. Through the first two months of the season, he leads all Major League players with a .658 slugging percentage and a 1.056 OPS. He also tops the AL with 44 RBI while adding 17 home runs.
The weekly honor is the first of Rice’s career. He enjoyed a strong 2025 season, hitting 26 home runs and appearing in 138 games, but has taken another step forward in 2026. His 2.2 bWAR already matches the total he produced all of last season.
Rice is the first Yankee to win Player of the Week since Judge claimed the award at the end of the 2025 season.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].